Editorial: Voters lose an opportunity

A record turnout for early in-person voting was a welcome problem for the Marion County Clerk's office, but a problem all the same.

Long lines and long waits marked the process from time to time, prompting Clerk Beth White to wish aloud that the load were shared with alternate sites out in the community.

Satellite locations were used successfully in the 2008 and 2009 elections, but they won't exist this year because the Democratic clerk's wish is not shared by the Republican member of the Marion County Election Board.

Patrick Dietrick voted Friday, as he did in 2010, against allowing early voting anywhere but at the City-County Building. White and the third member, Democrat Mark Sullivan, voted yea; but state law requires unanimity.

Why the objection? Dietrick and his party's leadership cite cost and the hazards of lost ballots or fraud. They point out that early voters have the option of absentee ballots and, through Nov. 5, the availability of the clerk's office. None of that reasoning answers the question "Why not?"

White has money for the satellites. Fraud and serious errors were absent in 2008 and 2009. The outreach was a popular gesture that promoted participation in democracy. Undoubtedly, for some voters, lack of transportation, disability, tight work schedules and other challenges made the service more than just a convenience.

We are left with partisanship. Marion County has more Democrats than Republicans, making wider voting opportunities more enticing to the former than to the latter.

Voter IDs cause the same split in reverse - Republicans solidly for, Democrats overwhelmingly against. A key difference: Voter IDs are a fact; the courts rejected Democrats' arguments against them. It is unfortunate that a smaller but still significant issue, satellite voting sites, remains in play given that arguments against them have fallen short as well.

Political life goes on. Those who care about voter turnout, be they election officials or party workers, will show their resourcefulness. Individuals who care about the future of their city, state and nation will take responsibility. But we still fail to see why it is wrong to make this vital task easier.

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Editorial: Voters lose an opportunity

A record turnout for early in-person voting was a welcome problem for the Marion County Clerk's office, but a problem all the same.Long lines and long waits marked the process from time to time,